20 Years of GRICS: Strengthening Cancer Care in Gippsland
For the past 20 years, the Gippsland Regional Integrated Cancer Service has worked alongside health services, community organisations and statewide partners to improve cancer care for people living in our region.
From data-driven projects to innovative new clinics, GRICS has helped improve services and create connections in cancer care services across Gippsland.
Driving improvements through data and education
Better data reporting and dashboards have enabled projects that directly respond to the needs of Gippsland patients. GRICS has also hosted ongoing education evenings on breast cancer and melanoma, which have increased knowledge of local services, referral pathways and strengthened relationships between Gippsland and metropolitan services.
Exercise and cancer: from pilot to sustainability
A collaboration between GRICS, Latrobe Leisure (council-run leisure centres), Latrobe Community Health Service and Latrobe Regional Health created an exercise and cancer programs. What began as a pilot has grown into a sustainable model, with four sessions a week across three locations and inspired the “Active Ageing” programs at Latrobe Leisure. This work has now led into another project, a dedicated Exercise Physiologist coordination role, ensuring programs and referral pathways are consistent and available closer to home across Gippsland.
Improving survivorship and supportive care
In 2016-19, a project commenced to support the development and implementation of survivorship clinics at Latrobe Regional Health and Bairnsdale Regional Health Service. In 2019 these clinics began to accept patients and to this day, still provide an essential service to those who have completed treatment.
The development and implementation of a supportive care screening tool, including a distress thermometer, is now embedded in Gippsland cancer services to identify physical, emotional, practical and social needs early. Patients also benefit from access to the Cancer Council Victoria ACCESS project, providing financial counselling, emotional support, legal advice, education and referral pathways.
New clinics improving access and safety
Innovative new services have been established with GRICS’ leadership and partnerships. The Neuroendocrine Tumour model of care ensures specialist care is provided to Gippsland patients. These patients are supported by Gippsland and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PMCC) specialists, ensuring optimal care close to home. Patients are presented at PMCC Multidisciplinary Meetings where best practice cancer care is discussed and recommended.
The Oral Anticancer Care Clinic, launched in 2023 with partners including Monash University, standardises care for patients prescribed oral anti-cancer medications. This clinic provides education and support for patients who take oral anticancer medication, filling a necessary gap in service. This model is expanding into East Gippsland in 2025.
Multidisciplinary care across the region
Since 2016, GRICS has supported the rollout of multidisciplinary meetings (MDM) across Gippsland. MDMs are a team of health professionals who meet to diagnose and plan treatment. A multidisciplinary approach is best practice in cancer care. The transition to the QOOL-Vic platform in 2021 allowed health professionals to view patient information holistically, ensuring treatment planning reflects the best available care.
Pathways for quality care
Implementation of the Optimal Care Pathways in 2015–2016 provided Gippsland with detailed tumour stream pathways, a framework for consistent, safe and evidence-based care, and a commitment that all patients receive the best possible treatment. More recently, GRICS partnered with Southern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community leaders to deliver the Optimal Cancer Care Pathway learning program, building clinician knowledge and cultural safety in cancer care.
Looking ahead
From strengthening survivorship services to embedding exercise into treatment, GRICS has built a foundation for cancer care that is connected, evidence-based and responsive to the unique needs of Gippsland. Over the past two decades, GRICS has helped promote system integration across structural boundaries, collaborative approaches to evidence-based service development, and quality improvement at the local level to deliver better patient outcomes.
